For the past couple of seasons, silver has been rocking the runways as fashion’s top designers have imbued the white metal into everything from dresses and jeans to boots and handbags. Crisp and fresh, silver adds an edge of modernity to fashion. At recent award shows A-listers turned up on the Red Carpet in silver gowns that looked foiled and futuristic. And when it comes to jewelry, silver gets some company from other white metals: Platinum and white gold.
Silver metallic pants, skirts, dresses and jackets act as a neutral in fashion, you can think of it as gray amped up on steroids. It pairs well with white for cool sophistication, with black for drama and with gray for monochromatic elegance. Silver also works well with pastels and most jewel tones.
A Variety of Shades
Let’s take a look at the variations in the color of silver clothing, you’ll find pieces that are bright silver, flashy, bold and modern. Then you’ll find darker silvers, maybe even a little blackened, that are moody, sophisticated and have a more vintage feel.
So how does one wear jewelry with silver clothes? A lot of it of course depends upon what you’re wearing. Victorian jewelry is a great choice if you’re wearing a full silver look. You’ll often find silver topped gold, which was a popular style in Victorian times. Diamonds and gemstones looked spectacular against the white metal of silver, but it left tarnish marks on skin and clothes. To avoid this problem, gold was topped with silver, so that the gold touched the skin, while the silver showcased the gems. One of the really cool things about Victorian silver topped jewelry, is that over time the metal darkens as it gets patinaed. The patinated metal looks blackened and the stones, especially diamonds, really pop against this dark background making it the perfect pairing with silver clothes. The contrast of the darkened silver makes the jewel look very dimensional so if you’re wearing one of these pieces with a silver outfit, it will really stand out.
Silver, Sequins and Diamonds
If you’re wearing silver sequins, best to keep the jewelry more minimal, try dangling diamond earrings and an oversized cocktail ring. You may prefer to wear a large necklace, or bracelet with diamond solitaire or cluster earrings and a ring. The sequins bring a lot of action to the party, so the idea here is to let the sequins be the star and let the jewelry be the supporting cast, adding the finishing touches to your look.
Silver Statement
Maybe you don’t want to do head to toe silver clothes, but you do want to accessorize with silver shoes, handbag and jewelry. In this instance a strong piece of silver jewelry that is the focal point of your outfit can add just the right finishing touch to your look. Try a large bracelet, such as an Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., silver bone cuff, a large scale necklace, or long earrings. Sleek Art Deco jewelry with diamonds, onyx or black enamel set in platinum are also just right for the silver trend. Silver with its bright color tends to stand out, so you’ll easily make a statement with your jewelry. A couple of pieces of silver jewelry with black or white clothes embodies casual modern luxury. And by the way, it’s very chic to mix your silver and gold jewelry together, during the late 1990s and early aughts, mixed metals were on trend. Mixing your metals also further personalizes your style.
Silver and Gemstones
The white metal of silver, platinum or white gold works well with most gemstones, but the cool tones of aquamarine, blue or pink sapphires and amethyst are particularly harmonious with silver. Of course white or black diamonds also look great with silver, as does onyx. Moonstone or labradorite are also beautiful worn with silver.
As silver takes its place in the fashion spotlight, timeless vintage silver, white gold or platinum jewelry adds another layer of luxury to your style choices. And while trends may come and go, silver jewelry is here to stay.
Top of Page: Victorian diamond and silver topped gold earrings.
Black and white diamonds and 18-karat white gold bracelet, signed DiGrisogono and numbered; Antique silver topped gold and diamond necklace; Platinum and 12-carat diamond cluster earrings; Diamond and 18-karat white gold cuff bracelet, signed Bucellatti; Aquamarine, diamond and platinum necklace.
Authored by Amber Michelle